It started with a dream and a chance to do something better for the players.

A group of players were put together to compete in some summer events and the experience proved to be rewarding for all involved.

The patriarch of the group Charlie Benson enjoyed the experience as well and the Tennessee Travelers were born.

Benson combed the East Tennessee landscape ay first gathering the finest players to compete on a national level and bring some much needed exposure to the players.

The list of players whose games exploded over the summer reads like a who's who of Tennessee Prep folklore. The accolades are numerous and the coaching staff is doing things the right way.

Since 1988 the Travelers have accumulated over 1,200 victories including 32 Invitational Tourney Titles, 2-time winner of the prestigious Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions, 6-time victor of the Hoosier Shootout and while still competing in AAU, the Travs accounted for 10 AAU State Championships, 22 AAU Sub-State Championships, 3 AAU National Runner-Ups, 4 AAU Final Fours and 8 AAU National Top 15 finishes.

Quite a resume for a squad loaded with some of the best talent to ever grace the borders of the Volunteer state. The Travs have had 23 TSSAA Mr. Basketball winners, 4 McDonald's All-Americans, 1 Naismith Award Winner and 4 current or former NBA players, with a few more to come in Thursday's NBA Draft.

The Travelers have been a NIKE Elite program for 13 seasons and have averaged an astonishing 10 scholarship players per graduating class since their inception.

As a friend and observer of the program for the past several seasons I cherish my assosciation with the organization and wish them nothing but continued success in the upcoming seasons.